Moncton Reality Therapy Consultants

Creating a world where people experience "Happy Relationships"

Maureen Craig McIntosh (aka Grammy Mo)

Who I Am

I wasn't always straight talking Grammy Mo. I was the shy, quiet kid that everyone in my neighbourhood would gravitate towards when they needed someone to talk to about their problems. I would simply listen. I was the eldest of three children.

When I was 10, my younger brother, the eldest of two younger brothers was diagnosed with leukemia. I remember my parents telling me that my brother had about six months to live. Just before he died, he told me he was going to be okay because there were lots of people in the light.

My brother's death and how both he and my parents handled it taught me an important lesson: death was not something that I needed to be afraid of, and that talking about hard things was good. A couple of years later a new baby brother arrived so I am still the eldest of three with two brothers younger than me.

I learned to play cars and trucks and learned to love sports. I still love sports and am a season ticket holder for our local National Basketball Team, The Moncton Miracles. Looking back, it doesn't surprise me that I went into helping professions. I left home at 17 to attend a three-year nursing school program and worked in labour and delivery on the maternity ward and eventually as a surgical nurse, but shiftwork made it difficult for family life. The environment was stressful and often emotionally toxic.

I eventually took a day job in reproductive health. With my background in delivery room nursing, I thought I would be helping women to become pregnant but once on the job, the shy kid – who went through her entire nursing degree program without ever raising her hand to ask a question – was now going to have to build the Reproductive Health Clinic. Upon arrival at our office my colleague and I found only a typewriter in the middle of the floor. I soon discovered that I was going to be talking about sex, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, pregnancy tests, and offering counselling to both teens and parents!

About two months into the job, we were told we had our first speaking engagement coming up. I was terrified! At that moment, I chose to push through my comfort zone and fears, so I stood trembling in front of 60 parents at a local elementary school for the first time. After it was over, the parents stormed us with gratitude for presenting them with this desired information.

We were high on that first speaking engagement and I got the new found confidence to begin a public speaking career with 110 speaking engagements that first year. I spoke with parents, students, teachers, counsellors, and anyone who wanted to know about teenage sex and sexuality. I even wrote a book on the topic. I continue to do speaking engagements today.

As I was growing in my profession at the Sexual Health Centre, I knew I needed more skills. I got my Masters of Education and became a Certified Canadian Counsellor while at the same time learning about Dr. William Glasser. I studied under William Glasser, a world-renowned psychiatrist who developed Choice Theory Reality Therapy and Lead Management. It's a mouthful, but essentially, it is all about our relationships with people. Bill Glasser was more than my teacher; he was my friend and mentor until his death on August 23, 2013. He challenged me in ways that helped me take the leaps toward who I am today.

In 1990, while still working at the Sexual Health Centre, I started my own company, Moncton Reality Therapy Consultants, an education and training center for the advancement of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management. I also built a large counselling practice working with several Employee Assistance Programs. (EAP)

As I worked with my EAP clients, I was seeing a client pattern of unhealthy workplace relationships leading to stress leave. I knew that research showed that when people left their jobs, most of the time, it was because of a difficult relationship within the organization. I believe that the best way for me to influence this is to work with more groups of people in group coaching or group training programs.

Today my goal is to add value to others through coaching, training and speaking. I am a Seniorpreneur and proud of it! I bring a life time of experience and learning to share with you and help you grow and find your own inner ideas and purpose.

Written by Story Teller Kathy Mercure

In my mid-30s, I made a life-changing decision to return to university. I sold my house and my car and moved to another country with my partner. It was all in pursuit of a dream career as a university professor. The problem? It made me miserable. Back in Canada for a few months, I sought out Maureen’s counsel. The decision was difficult for me: spend another two years studying something I disliked in a foreign country, but get closer to my dream job, or stop studying and pursue an alternate career path. Maureen never pressured, never judged. She taught me about choice theory, and helped me to identify and manage my insecurities. I found her to be a trustworthy, friendly voice of reason in a difficult, trying time.

I stopped my university studies, and a month later accepted an extremely fulfilling job as a college instructor and department head. I have the job I would have wanted, even if I had finished my degree. I feel happy, challenged and fulfilled. My personal relationships have also benefited from my certainty of choice and confidence. Maureen helped me find my way, and I am grateful for her wise counsel.

Heath J., Moncton

I thank you for all the opportunities and support you have given me over the many years of our friendship.

My relationship with you and Choice Choice theory has constantly guided and directed my life in a positive direction. The ability to change my thinking enriches my life each day. It helped me survive during the days of my deepest grief. You love your life and all those you have helped love you!

Barbara Rombough

Choice Theory is a powerful life-changing tool. Its language has become a part of me and brings shared-awareness to my family and friends, clients, group participants, and work peers alike. Once we acknowledge the power of choice, that we own it, and that the impact of benefits and consequences alike are ours, we become not only empowered but also released from limiting beliefs and false boundaries.

Liette M. Collier

Maureen is a true expert in Choice Theory. She finds a way to apply relevant, practical applications of the theory into real life. Through coaching, Maureen invests a lot of time with her clients, making sure we consider all options. She is an excellent compassionate guide in this journey called life.

Robin Sauve, Marketing Manager

Wholesale & Specialty Products at Irving Oil

Maureen is an outstanding faculty member of the William Glasser Institute! She has expertise in so many areas of the helping professions her contributions to the well-being and happiness of countless people of all ages is truly commendable. If only they could clone Maureen the world would be such a better place!

Carleen Glasser, CEO William Glasser, Inc.

Senior Faculty, Glasser Institute

I have been blessed to work with Maureen for several months, as my personal coach. She has skillfully facilitated my personal growth by asking the kinds of questions that require me to dig deep and get to the root of my beliefs, which sometimes hold me back! She provides very perceptive insights, and leads me through a process that drives me to more clearly define my wants, needs, and desires, along with actions I am committed to taking to move myself closer to the vision I hold for my future. I look forward to continuing this journey with Maureen, and highly recommend her as a teacher and coach. If you have the opportunity to work with her, do not hesitate for a second -- just say YES!less

Laura Prisc

Founder at Leadership & Life Potential, LLC

I have known Maureen as a counsellor, always really coaching for almost 20 years. I know very few people with the integrety and consistency that I have seen in the last two decades. Maureen has been teaching and guiding people in making choices for as long as I can remember with a professionalism and knowledge that is admired by other counselors in the city, including myself. When we host our own team building programs at La Teraz, even though I have training in the field and followed her courses in Choice Theory, I call her and her partner to facilitate the group's segment on Choice Theory. When I need to get honnest and reliable feedback, she is one of the primary people I consult in my own business to get the right questions asked to help me make my own choices to reach my ideal world in business. I not only accept to offer a recommendation I am honoured to refer her as one of the best in her field.less

Owner, La Teraz

Business Development Consultant

Met Maureen many years ago during a difficult life transition. She was recommended to me and I have been grateful for the connection. Through her teaching of Choice Theory she provides clarity, direction and empowerment to act. I have since been recommending her to anyone I know who is in need of her type of services. You can go see other couselors for months and start to feel better or you can go see Maureen and get direction within a few visits. the results last a life time. Love what you do Maureen!less

Rachelle Daigle

Business Development Consultant

Maureen is a warm person who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of the people she works with. She is very knowledgeable in her field and much can be learned from her! Maureen thank you so much for a great and "ah ha" filled training, you are a great instructor and such an inspiration. The reason I took this course is because of someone who you taught in the past, which i think says a lot. I felt so comfortable, and your enthusiasm and passion made me want to pay attention to every word. I so look forward to continuing on this journey! Jill Wakelin

Richard Chartrand CFP, CHS, CLU

Helping Financial Advisors (Heroes) Change Lives Forever!

I very much agree that this training is of utmost benefit to anyone in counselling and in business and sales, I will decline, as i believe it so beneficial that I went for the full certification last year. Maureen is an excellent trainer and I benefited so much with her support, not only in certification, but in all the previous years of knowing this amazing coach. Wishing everyone the best experience in choosing to open this new door to understanding human behavior and choices